Heads up: Texting and driving penalties to increase
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ELGIN – Illinois’ roads will be safer thanks to a new law pushed by State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin).
Castro’s House Bill 4846 was signed into law Tuesday, takes effect July 1, 2019 and making the first time a person uses a cell phone while driving a moving offense. Previously, the first offense was classified as a warning.
“This new measure will help save lives,” Castro said. “Sending one quick text while driving is dangerous. We have to work together to get the message across that texting and driving is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving.”
In 2013, the General Assembly passed a bill to prohibit all uses of cellular phones while driving. House Bill 4846 strengthens this law to create stricter guidelines.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at least 25 percent of police-reported incidents involve some form of distracted driving. According to AT&T, nearly 9 in 10 people engage in smartphone activities while driving. Castro wants to end this epidemic to help save lives and stop preventable fatalities.
“There are countless distractions on the road,” Castro said. “It’s important that we do our best to educate and bring attention to this issue. One short text can cost lives.”
The Illinois Secretary of State and State Police supported the measure.
Castro: Rauner shows once again he is no friend of working class
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ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) said Gov. Bruce Rauner once again showed his true colors by vetoing a worker protection measure this week.
Rauner vetoed Castro’s House Bill 4572, a powerful human rights measure that would protect all employees across the state from work-related discrimination and retaliation.
“It’s troubling that once again Gov. Rauner has failed to empower and stand up for the rights of workers,” Castro said. “No matter the size of the business, all employees should have the means to stand up for themselves and the assurances that they are protected by law.”
Castro’s measure would have expanded the Illinois Human Rights Act to cover employers of any size, as current law only covers employers with 15 or more employees. This measure would have given all employees under Illinois law the means to challenge work-related discrimination and retaliation.
“Expanding the Illinois Human Rights Act is the right thing to do,” Castro said. “At this point, though, I am disappointed but not surprised that our governor has chosen to once again overlook the working class.”
Last week, Castro sent another worker protection bill – House Bill 4163 – to the governor’s desk. This legislation is crucial for protecting working women in Illinois. Castro is urging Gov. Rauner to sign this bill as soon as possible.
“This measure won’t completely erase the problem of wage disparity between men and women in the state, but it will go a long way toward helping to prevent it,” Castro said. “If Gov. Rauner fails to sign this monumental legislation, he’ll show once again that he is not a friend of working women or women of color. I implore Gov. Rauner to consider the needs of the people of Illinois over his corporate friends and to do the right thing by signing the bill.”
Castro vows to continue to support working men and women across the state to ensure everyone has equal rights and is paid a fair wage, even if the governor refuses to.
Castro to help job seekers connect with local employers
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ELGIN – Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) will be hosting a manufacturing job fair this month to help connect job seekers with local employers. She will be joined by Hanover Township.
“I am excited to connect job seekers with local employers in the area,” Castro said. “This gives job seekers a chance to bring in their resume and possibly be interviewed on the spot. It’s not only going to benefit workers, but also employers in the area.”
What: Manufacturing Job Fair
When: Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Where: Hanover Township Senior Center
Who: State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin)
Hanover Township
Castro partners with U-46 and Streamwood High to host community shred event
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STREAMWOOD – Consumer fraud and identity theft are growing epidemics in our communities. To raise awareness and to promote prevention, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), School District U-46 and Streamwood High School are offering free paper shredding services for area residents.
To help reduce the chances of identity theft, experts recommend shredding things like bank statements, credit card offers and credit card convenience checks. Residents should also shred canceled credit cards, canceled checks, pay stubs, old photo IDs and tax returns that are more than three years old.
To accommodate all participants the limit is two boxes of residential shredding per a person. Boxes and bags will be returned.
No business shredding will be accepted.
Date: Saturday, Aug. 18
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Location: Streamwood High School (701 Schaumburg Rd., Streamwood)
For more information, call Castro’s office at (847) 214-8864.
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